Local News

Mahlah’s comfort reaches out in Las VegasIroquois County has reached out to make its mark in Las Vegas in the aftermath of the deadliest shooting in U.S. history. And the help comes from Mahlah—the comfort dog from Our Savior Lutheran Church in Milford.

The Rev. Karl Gibbs and comfort dog, Mahlah, are spending time away from the home-base to comfort those people trying to get their lives back together following the deadly shooting at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Vegas.

Mahlah is Our Savior Lutheran Church’s 2-year-old golden retriever, especially trained to administer comfort to those afflicted. Mahlah is among about 100 Lutheran Church Charities' K-9 comfort dogs who are in Nevada. The dogs come from 22 states.

Mahlah and her canine friends have made national news thru the Lutheran Network.

Rev. Gibbs says “just a hug and petting the dog allows those afflicted by the pain and sorrow to walk away smiling again. “It’s a wonderful fulfilling feeling to bring back comfort and peace to many of the people trying to put their lives back together, Gibbs said.

The goodwill visit by the canines will continues as long as needed.

Mahlah works year-round, Gibbs said, often visiting hospitals, nursing homes and schools to bring cheer after hardships. It was guest-speaker at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Milford that convinced Our Savior parish members to get involved after the Sandy Hook school shooting.The Rev. Gibbs says, “so many stories stir emotions, stories of heroism, from responding law enforcement, fire personnel, and just everyday people, strangers helping strangers."

Gibbs said Mahlah's nonverbal communication can help draw out emotions and stories from humans.

Gibbs is quick to point out, "This is about those who serve. It shows me that in the midst of such evil, good still wins out.”

Mahlah and her ministry is all about donations. The Rev Gibbs says Mahlah welcomes all donations and she’s happy to write back. Reach Mahlah at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Law enforcement officers from Benton County, the town of Oxford, and Indiana State Police responded to a shooting at an apartment complex in Oxford Saturday morning. The incident at the South Crown Street Apartments occurred at 4:40 am.

Early reports indicated two males were involved in a fight after leaving a bar. Both subjects ended up at the apartment complex where the one subject sustained the gunshot wound. Police reported the wound was not life-threatening. No names are being released at this time pending further investigation. No other information was released. No arrests have been made.

Authorities in north central Illinois say they've captured a former LaSalle County sheriff's deputy wanted for contacting the mother of the teenage girl he's accused of holding against her will.

LaSalle Couny Sheriff Tom Templeton said 46-year-old Lowell Maxwell Ambler of Mendota was "peacefully taken into custody" Thursday morning. Ambler was in a friend's house in Earlville. He walked out of the house and surrendered. Templeton says the friend wasn't harmed.

Authorities previously said they believed Ambler may be armed with a semi-automatic weapon and they considered him dangerous. Ambler was arrested Sept. 15 and charged with home invasion and aggravated kidnapping. He was freed on $250,000 bond. A warrant was issued for his arrest after he contacted the girl's mother Sunday.